View full size CHRISTINE BAKER, The Patriot-NewsA Holstein, named Dakota, co-owned by Deanna and Dale Bendig of Straban Township and Creedin Cornman of South Middleton Township, was named the 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show Supreme Champion Dairy Cow. Deanna Bendig walks Dakota in the Equine Arena during Friday's competition.

Creedin Cornman of South Middleton Township and Dale and Deanna Bendig of Straban Township won the 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show Supreme Champion Dairy Cow award with the same cow that won last year as about 2,000 spectators and first lady Susan Corbett looked on.

The Supreme Champion, the bovine version of Miss Pennsylvania, is selected from among the grand champions of the seven major breeds in the show. After a few more contest wrap-ups, the annual Farm Show ends at 5 p.m. today.

Dakota, a 1,700-pound Holstein that produces 2,800 pounds of milk annually, beat about 375 cows to win the $1,000 prize and a purple-and-gold banner for her owners.

The 4-year-old cow with a straight back, long body and firm udder seemed unfazed by all the attention she received. Cornman, however, bubbled over.

“It feels super, just super,” he said clutching the winner’s banner.

Cows competing for Supreme Champion first have to be selected grand champions in their breeds. The Supreme Champion contest began with those winning cows parading around the Equine Arena with their owners. As Deanna Bendig paraded around with Dakota, Cornman watched intently.

He cheered when Dakota was declared the winner. Seasons, a 3-year-old Jersey owned by Skyler Reichard of Chambersburg, was named runner-up.

Cornman, 82, has been bringing Holsteins to the Farm Show for 66 years. He said his late father had the Farm Show Grand Champion Holstein in 1956.

The third-generation farmer bought a 120-acre farm in South Middleton Township in 1952 and named it Justa Beauty Farm. Cornman and his late wife, Ellen, started their herd with 13 cows that included his 4-H Holsteins and her Ayrshires. He sold his herd in 1988 and retired, although he still has seven cows on the Bendig farm.

Competing against Dakota were the other breed grand champions owned by:

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